Flush Valve Diaphragm

ABSTRACT

A flush valve diaphragm that includes a body portion and a peripheral sealing portion. The body portion is flexible and has a central passageway. The peripheral portion includes an integral filter, an exit chamber, and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter prevents clogging of the bypass arrangement. The diaphragm is used in a flush valve diaphragm assembly and a flush valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/188,960, filed on Jul. 25, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/085,422, filed Feb. 28, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,923,425, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/272,025 filed Feb. 28, 2001, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to flush valves, and more particularly, todiaphragms used in flush valves.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Flush valves in water closets, urinals, and other plumbing devices whichutilize a flexible diaphragm to establish and to seal off the connectionbetween the inlet and outlet are well-known in the art. Typically, thediaphragm is made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, andincludes a bypass, which provides fluid communication between the inletside of the flush valve and an upper chamber of the flush valve. Atypical prior art diaphragm is shown in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No.5,232,194 to Saadi et al. (hereinafter “the Saadi patent”) and isincorporated herein by reference.

The performance of prior art diaphragms varies depending on the pressuredrop between the opposite sides of the diaphragm due to the bypassorifice. Specifically, a higher pressure difference across thediaphragm, such as will occur on a bottom floor of a multistorybuilding, causes more water to pass through the flush valve for a fixedperiod of time when the flush valve is activated. Likewise, in asituation where there is a low pressure difference across the diaphragm,less water will flow through the flush valve when it is activated.Hence, the amount of water flowing through the flush valve is a functionof the supply of water pressure to the flush valve.

It is shown then that diaphragm-type flush valves used in toiletdevices, such as urinals and water closets, are conventionally usedbypass orifices. Recently, there has been some interest in filtering thewater passing through the bypass orifice to prevent clogging of thebypass orifice. Essentially, the bypass orifice diameter corresponds tothe time of the flush valve refill cycle. Copending published UnitedStates Patent Application Serial No. 20010028048 A1 to Verdecchia(hereinafter the “Verdecchia application”) discloses a bypass orificefor preventing the clogging of the bypass orifice and is herebyincorporated by reference. Essentially, the diameter of the bypassorifice changes during operation so that any debris clogging the bypassorifice is dislodged. More interest has been directed recently tofiltering the water prior to entering the bypass orifice. This has beenaccomplished by providing a separate filter, which is affixed to orcoacts with the diaphragm. Hence, there is a possibility of loss of thefilter breaking or separating from the diaphragm. Further, a separatefilter increases the number of parts required to manufacture a flushvalve diaphragm assembly and increases the assembly cost of the flushvalve diaphragm assembly.

Therefore, there is a need for a filter for a flush valve diaphragm thatis less costly to manufacture than those known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a flush valve diaphragm thatincludes a body portion and a peripheral sealing portion. The bodyportion is flexible and has a central passageway. The peripheral portionincludes an integral filter, an exit chamber, and a bypass arrangement,such that water flowing through the integral filter flows through thebypass arrangement.

The present invention is also directed to a flush valve diaphragmassembly. The present assembly includes a flush valve diaphragm and abarrel slide. The flush valve diaphragm is the present flush valvediaphragm including a central passageway. The barrel slide is partiallypassed through the central passageway and is secured to the diaphragm.

The present invention is further directed to a flush valve. The presentflush valve includes a valve body, a valve seat, a flush valve diaphragmassembly, and a pressure chamber. The valve body defines an inletconnection and an outlet connection. The valve seat is positionedbetween the inlet and the outlet of the flush valve. The flush valvediaphragm assembly is movable to a closing position on the valve seat,such that it is able to stop flow between the inlet and the outlet. Thediaphragm assembly is the present diaphragm assembly. The pressurechamber is defined above the diaphragm of the diaphragm assembly andacts to hold the flush valve diaphragm assembly on the valve seat.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified inthe description of the preferred embodiment taken together with theattached drawings in which like reference numerals represent likeelements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial, sectional, elevational view of a flush valveassembly in a closed position made in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a flush valve diaphragm made inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the flush valve diaphragm shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the lines IV-IV shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view partially in section of a portion of thediaphragm taken along lines V-V shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view partially in section of a portion of aflush valve taken along lines VI-VI shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of a flush valveassembly shown in FIG. 1 in an opened position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation view of a flush valve diaphragm assemblymade in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a flush valve diaphragm made inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and accompanying drawings, like referencenumbers, as used in the various Figures, refer to like features orelements. The terms “upper surface” and “underside,” as used herein,refer to the orientation of a given element as shown in the drawings.

The present invention is generally directed to a unitary filterdiaphragm for use in a flush valve. As shown in FIG. 1, a flush valve 10includes a valve body 12 having an inlet opening 14 and an outletopening 16, a valve seat 20 positioned between inlet opening 14 andoutlet opening 16, and a flush valve diaphragm assembly 18, movable to aclosing position on valve seat 20, such that it is able to stop flowbetween inlet opening 14 and outlet opening 16. Flush valve diaphragmassembly 18 includes a flexible diaphragm 22 peripherally attached to abarrel slide 24. A pressure chamber 26 is defined above flexiblediaphragm 22 for holding flush valve diaphragm assembly 18 on valve seat20.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, flexible diaphragm 22 includes a body portion28 and a peripheral sealing portion 30. Body portion 28 has a centralpassageway 32. Peripheral sealing portion 30 includes a sealing ring 34with a thickness greater than body portion 28 extending along theperiphery of flexible diaphragm 22. Flexible diaphragm 22 also includesa first integral ring 36 on a first side 38 of flexible diaphragm 22radially spaced from sealing ring 34. A second integral ring 40 on asecond side 42 of flexible diaphragm 22 is radially spaced from sealingring 34. An integral filter 44 is located between sealing ring 34 andfirst integral ring 36 and between sealing ring 34 and second integralring 40. A bypass chamber 46 is positioned between first integral ring36 and sealing ring 34 An exit chamber 48 is positioned between secondintegral ring 40 and sealing ring 34. At least one bypass orifice 50extends from and allows fluid communication between bypass chamber 46and exit chamber 48. Bypass orifice 50 connects inlet opening 14 andpressure chamber 26. Integral filter 44 includes a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced filter orifices 54 defined in flexiblediaphragm 22. Filter orifices 54 extend from first side 38 of diaphragm22, through diaphragm 22, to second side 42 of diaphragm 22. First side38 of flexible diaphragm 22 includes first integral ring 36 whichincludes a plurality of circumferentially spaced support grooves 52.Support grooves 52 are in fluid communication with inlet opening 14.Each support groove 52 is only in fluid communication with a specificset of filter orifices 56. Each respective support groove 52 andrespective set of filter orifices 56 are in fluid communication with arespective chamber 58, with the chambers 58 being separated from eachother. A plurality of radially extending chamber walls 60, which arecircumferentially spaced apart extend from first integral ring 40 tosealing ring 34. Chambers 58 are defined by two adjacent chamber walls60, portions of sealing ring 34, and first integral ring 36, and includea support groove 52 and a set of filter orifices 56.

The support grooves 52 do not provide any filtering function for thebypass orifice 50 or for filter orifices 54 and are substantially largerthan filter orifices 54 and bypass orifice 50. The structure definingsupport grooves 52 provides support for flexible diaphragm 22. Filterorifices 54 are in fluid communication with a circumferential passageway64 defined on second side 42 of flexible diaphragm 22. Circumferentialpassageway 64 includes a first dam wall 62 at a first end 72, a seconddam wall 74 at a second end 76, and a plurality of circumferentialsupports 66 having flow through passages 68, which do not provide afiltering function. At least one flow path orifice 70 is defined incircumferential passageway 64 to direct filtered water to bypass chamber46 defined on first side 38 of flexible diaphragm 22.

In an embodiment of the invention, there are two flow path orifices 70,one adjacent to first dam wall 62 and one adjacent to second dam wall74. The filtered water then passes through bypass orifice 74, which hasa flow area greater than filter orifices 54, but less than supportgrooves 52, and filtered water is then directed to the high-pressureside (second side 42) of flexible diaphragm 22. Outer peripheral sealingring 34 is defined on flexible diaphragm 22 and is radially spaced oroffset from support grooves 52 and filter orifices 54. Support grooves52 and chambers 58 are not in fluid communication with each other, innormal operation of flush valve 10, when liquid flows from supportgrooves 52 to bypass orifices 70.

Returning to FIG. 1, it shows a flush valve assembly 10 made inaccordance with the present invention. The flush valve assembly 10includes flush valve body 12 having inlet opening 14, outlet opening 16,and barrel 78. A top cap 80 is provided and threadably secured to valvebody 12. A handle 82 is provided in valve body 12 to activate flushvalve diaphragm assembly 18. Handle 82 operates in the same manner asprior art flush valve mechanisms, as is shown in the Saadi patent.

Turning to FIG. 8, flush valve diaphragm assembly 18 includes flexiblediaphragm 22. Flexible diaphragm 22 includes a radially outward mountingportion 84 and a radially inward seating surface 86. An optionalintegral flow ring 88 may be provided. The flow ring 88 is similar tothat disclosed in the Verdecchia application. Barrel slide 24 is securedto flexible diaphragm 22 through a locking member 90. Typically, lockingmember 90 is threadably received by barrel slide 24, thereby sandwichinga portion of diaphragm 22 between lip 92 on barrel slide 24 and lockingmember 90. Alternatively, an L-shaped receiving washer 94 having anL-shaped cross section may be positioned on lip 92 to receive flow ring88. Flexible diaphragm 22 is then sandwiched between locking element 90and a first side 96 of flow ring 88 and first side 98 of L-shapedreceiving washer 94. The flush valve diaphragm assembly 18 may also bemolded for formed as a single unitary piece.

Referring to FIG. 1, an inner cover 100 is provided and positionedinwardly and adjacent to top cap 102. A relief valve or trip mechanism104 is provided and positioned adjacent to locking member 90 and barrelslide 24. The relief valve or trip mechanism 104 rests on locking member90 and is tripped through handle 82 in a manner well known in the art,such as that disclosed in the Saadi patent. Relief valve 104 includes anupper circular sealing disk 122 and an elongated stem 106 attachedthereto which coacts with handle 82.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-6 and more particularly to FIGS. 2 and3, flexible diaphragm 22 includes first side 38 and diaphragm secondside 42. Diaphragm 22 is made of an elastomeric material, whichincludes, but is not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber,synthetic polymers, and thermoplastic elastomer resins. Diaphragm 22includes body portion 28 and peripheral portion 30. Central passageway32 is defined by the inner perimeter of diaphragm body portion 28.Hence, diaphragm 22 is annular-shaped. Barrel slide 24 passes throughcentral passageway 32. The radially inwardly seating surface 108 isdefined on body portion 28.

Peripheral portion 30 of diaphragm 22 includes the circumferentialperipheral sealing ring 34 that extends along the outer periphery ofdiaphragm 22. Sealing ring 34 forms a liquid seal with body 12, top cap80, and inner cover 100. First integral ring 36 is spaced radially fromorifices 54. First integral ring 36 includes the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced support grooves 52 about the circumference ofthe diaphragm of which only a portion of the grooves is shown. Theplurality of sets 56 of filter orifices 54 are defined in respectivechambers 58. Sets 56 and chambers 58 extend about the circumference ofthe diaphragm 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, second side 42 is in fluid communication withfilter orifices 54 through circumferential passageway 64 that is definedon second side 42. The plurality of circumferentially spaced supports 66extend from the body of flexible diaphragm 22 and are positioned betweenperipheral seal 30 and second integral ring 40. The plurality of flowthrough passages 68, as shown in FIG. 4, are defined on supports 66.Circumferential passageway 64 is also in fluid communication with twoflow path orifices 70. First dam wall 62 and second dam wall 74 areprovided at opposite ends of circumferential passageway 64. Flow pathorifices 70 are in fluid communication with bypass chamber 46 defined onfirst side 38 of flexible diaphragm 22 (see FIGS. 2, 4, and 6).

As shown in FIG. 3, exit chamber 48 is defined by first dam wall 62,second dam wall 74, a diverter shield 114, and includes at least oneexit passage 116, and bypass orifice 50. Exit passages 116 are definedby the space between the first 62 and second 74 dam walls and thediverter shield 114. Bypass orifice 50 is defined within exit chamber 48and diaphragm 22 and is in fluid communication with bypass chamber 46defined on first side 38 of flexible diaphragm 22. In the presentarrangement, unfiltered water from inlet opening 14 passes throughsupport grooves 52 (as shown by arrows A in FIG. 2), travels aserpentine path 118 (that includes path C shown in FIG. 3), then exitsas filtered water through exit chamber 48 into the pressure chamber 26side (second side 42) of flexible diaphragm 22 via exit passages 116(FIG. 9) (as shown by arrow B in FIG. 3).

Bypass chamber 46 is defined by a portion of sealing ring 34, a portionof first integral ring 36, a first end support 110, and a second endsupport 112. End supports 110, 112 extend from sealing ring 34 to firstintegral ring 36. Bypass chamber 46 includes bypass orifice 50 and atleast one flow path orifice 70.

More particularly, the present invention is a filter diaphragm 22 foruse in a flush valve 10 that includes a valve body 12 having an inletopening 14 and an outlet opening 16. A valve seat 20 is positionedbetween inlet opening 14 and outlet opening 16, and a flush valvediaphragm assembly 18, i.e., the diaphragm 22, is movable to a closingposition on valve seat 20 to stop flow between inlet opening 14 andoutlet opening 16. The flush valve diaphragm assembly 18 includesdiaphragm 22 peripherally attached to body 12. Pressure chamber 26 isdefined above diaphragm 22 and acts to hold flush valve diaphragmassembly 18 on valve seat 20. Diaphragm 22 includes integral filter 44and bypass orifice 50, which connects inlet opening 14 and pressurechamber 26. Integral filter 44 includes a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced filter orifices 54 defined on diaphragm 22. First side 38 ofdiaphragm 22 includes a first integral ring 36 that includes a pluralityof circumferentially spaced support grooves 52. The support grooves 52are in fluid communication with inlet opening 14. Each support groove 52is only in communication with a specific set 56 of filter orifices 54.Each respective support groove 52 and set 56 of filter orifices 54 arein fluid communication with a respective chamber 58. The chambers 58 areseparated from each other. Support grooves 52 do not provide anyfiltering function for bypass orifice 50 or filter orifices 54 and aresubstantially larger than the filter orifices 54. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the size of the support grooves 52 isapproximately 0.060″ wide×0.070″ high.

First integral ring 36, defining support grooves 52, provides supportfor diaphragm 22. The filter orifices 54 are in fluid communication withthe circumferential passageway 64 defined on the second side 42 ofdiaphragm 22. Water passing through filter orifices 54 becomes filtered.The circumferential passageway 64 has a plurality of circumferentialsupports 66 having flow through passages 68 which provide no filteringfunction and have a right triangular flow dimension of about 0.070″ highat the perpendicular leg and 0.085″ wide at the base (FIG. 4). Thecircumferential supports 66 can alternatively have a U-shaped crosssection. Two flow path orifices 70 are defined in circumferentialpassageway 64 to direct filtered water to bypass chamber 48 defined onfirst side 38 of diaphragm 22. The filtered water then passes throughbypass orifice 50, which has a flow area greater than the filterorifices 54, but less than the support grooves 52 and flow throughpassages 68. Filtered water is then directed to the high-pressure side(second side 42) of diaphragm 22 adjacent pressure chamber 26. Byfiltering, it is meant is that filter orifices 54 remove from the waterparticulates and debris that are larger than the diameter of filterorifices 54, so as to prevent clogging of bypass orifice 74, which has alarger diameter than filter orifices 54. Although the bypass orifice 50is shown to be integrally formed in the diaphragm 22, a separate inserthaving bypass orifices 50 can be provided and secured in the diaphragm22.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the diameter of bypass orifice 74is 0.020″ and the diameter of filter orifices 54 is 0.014″. The otherflow paths have flow diameters greater than 0.020″. Outer peripheralsealing ring 34 is defined on diaphragm 22 and is radially spaced oroffset from support grooves 52 and filter orifices 54. Support grooves52 and chambers 58 are not in fluid communication with each other duringnormal operation of flush valve 10, when water flows from supportgrooves 52 to bypass orifice 50.

The operation of flush valve 10 is generally described as follows. In anormally closed position, as is shown in FIG. 1, water pressure P₁,which is greater than atmospheric pressure P₀, is communicated topressure chamber 26 at inlet opening 14 through bypass orifice 50. Sincethe surfaces which are subjected to the water pressure P₁ are greater onsecond side 42 of diaphragm 22, the water pressure forces diaphragm 22down onto valve seat 20, preventing water from flowing through outletopening 16. Referring to FIG. 7, when a user moves handle 82 in anydirection, a plunger (not shown) moves inwardly, tilting elongated stem106 of relief valve 104. This action creates an opening 120 betweendiaphragm 22 and valve seat 20 releasing the pressure in pressurechamber 26 by allowing water to flow through barrel 78 as shown in FIG.7. With the pressure in pressure chamber 26 relieved, the water inletpressure forces diaphragm 22 to move upwardly, off of valve seat 20,allowing water to flow directly from the inlet opening 14, throughopening 120, barrel 78, and outlet opening 16. When diaphragm 22 andrelief valve 104 move upwardly, the relief valve resets itself, closingoff the upper chamber. Water will then flow through thecircumferentially spaced support grooves 52 and through the respectiveset 56 of filter orifices 54. The water will then flow through thecircumferential passageway 64 and respective flow through passages 68 tothe respective flow path orifices 70 via path 118 (FIG. 9). The filteredwater will flow downward to first side 38 of diaphragm 22 into bypasschamber 46 and through bypass orifice 50. The filtered water then flowsinto exit chamber 48 and exit passages 116 into pressure chamber 26until the diaphragm 22 is again forced against valve seat 20, therebyclosing flush valve 10. During the closing of flush valve 10, barrelslide 24 moves downwardly with diaphragm 22 and the outwardly extendedflexible flow ring 88. Flow ring 88 contacts barrel 78, again therebyminimizing water hammer effects and acting as a first seal until theradially inwardly seating surface 98 is sealed against valve seat 20.

The present invention provides superior filtering of water prior to thewater flowing through bypass orifice 50, thereby preventing clogging ofbypass orifice 50. Further, bypass orifice 50 includes a tapered holearrangement, as disclosed in FIG. 6 and which is described in detail inU.S. Pat. No. 6,299,128 to Verdecchia, to prevent clogging of the bypassorifice should the diameter of the filtering orifices 54 increase due towear or tearing of the diaphragm 22 and provide no filtering function,alternatively, a cylindrical hole may be provided. An advantage of thepresent invention is that it provides a filter in a unitary structureintegrally formed in diaphragm 22.

An important aspect of the present invention is the arrangement of thevarious chambers and passages. Specifically, chambers 58 are defined bya portion of the valve body 12, peripheral seal 30, first side 38 ofdiaphragm 22, and a portion of first integral ring 36. Flow of waterinto each chamber 58 is only accomplished through a respective supportgroove 52, and flow can only exit the chamber via a respective set 56 offilter orifices 54. Passageway 64 is defined by a portion of second side42 of diaphragm 22, a portion of inner cover 100, a portion of secondintegral ring 40, which is coaxial with first integral ring 36, supports66, dam walls 62, 74, and a portion of peripheral seal 30. Flow into thepassageway 64 can only occur via filter orifices 54, and flow exitingthe passageway 64 may only occur through flow path orifices 70. Bypasschamber 46 is defined by a portion of first side 38 of diaphragm 22, aportion of valve body 12, first end support 110, second end support 112,portions of peripheral seal 30, and integral ring 36. Flow into bypasschamber 46 can only occur via flow path orifices 70, and flow exitsbypass chamber 46 via bypass orifice 50. Exit chamber 48 is defined by aportion of peripheral seal 30, a portion of a second side 42 ofdiaphragm 22, first 62 and second 74 dam walls, inner cover 100,portions of second integral ring 40, and shield 114. Flow into exitchamber 48 occurs via bypass orifice 50 and exits via exit passages 116into the pressure chamber 26. Fluid seals are formed between theinteraction of diaphragm 22 and respective contacting or clampingsurfaces of the valve body 12, top cap 80, and inner cover 100.

Another embodiment of the present invention is described as follows. Inlieu of providing the filter orifices 54 defined in the diaphragm 22,the filtering could take place via the plurality of the support grooves52. In this arrangement, support grooves 52 would have an effective flowdiameter less than bypass orifice 50. Further, supports 66 would beeliminated so that all of chambers 58 are in fluid communication onfirst side 38 of diaphragm 22. Circumferentially spaced orifices 54 andflow path orifices 70 would be eliminated so that the filtered waterwould flow directly to bypass orifice 50. This arrangement would alsoutilize a unitary diaphragm filter arrangement as opposed to a two-piecearrangement.

The present invention has been described with reference to specificdetails of particular embodiments thereof. It is not intended that suchdetails be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the inventionexcept insofar as and to the extent that they are included in theaccompanying claims.

1-17. (canceled) 18: A flush valve diaphragm comprising a body portionand a peripheral sealing portion, the body portion being flexible andhaving a central passageway, the peripheral sealing portion comprisingan integral filter integrally molded in the flush valve diaphragm andmade of the same elastomeric material as the flush valve diaphragm,wherein water is filtered via the integral filter before passing throughthe sealing portion of the flush valve diaphragm. 19: The flush valvediaphragm of claim 18, wherein the peripheral sealing portion furthercomprises a sealing ring with a thickness greater than the body portionextending along the periphery of the flush valve diaphragm; a firstintegral ring on a first side of the flush valve diaphragm radiallyspaced from the sealing ring; a second integral ring on a second side ofthe flush valve diaphragm radially spaced from the sealing ring, whereinthe integral filter is located between the sealing ring and the firstintegral ring and between the sealing ring and the second integral ring.20: The flush valve diaphragm of claim 19, wherein the peripheralsealing portion further comprises a bypass chamber positioned betweenthe first integral ring and the sealing ring, an exit chamber positionedbetween the second integral ring and the sealing ring; and a bypassorifice extending from and allowing fluid communication between thebypass chamber and the exit chamber. 21: The flush valve diaphragm ofclaim 20, wherein the integral filter comprises a plurality of filterorifices extending from the first side of the diaphragm, through thediaphragm to the second side of the diaphragm. 22: The flush valvediaphragm of claim 21, wherein each of the filter orifices have a filterorifice diameter, and the bypass orifice has a bypass orifice diameter,where each of the filter orifice diameters is smaller than the bypassorifice diameter. 23: The flush valve diaphragm of claim 21, wherein thefirst integral ring defines a plurality of circumferentially spacedsupport grooves, said flush valve diaphragm further comprising aplurality of radially extending chamber walls circumferentially spacedapart, and a plurality of chambers defined by at least one of saidsupport grooves, a respective pair of chamber walls, a portion of thefirst integral ring, and a portion of the sealing ring, each chamberwall extending from the sealing ring to the first integral ring, whereineach chamber includes a set of the filter orifices in fluidcommunication with a circumferential passageway located between thesealing ring and the second integral ring. 24: The flush valve diaphragmof claim 23, wherein the circumferential passageway comprises the filterorifices and a plurality of circumferential supports having flow throughpassages, the circumferential supports extending from the sealing ringto the second integral ring. 25: The flush valve diaphragm of claim 24,wherein the circumferential passageway is in fluid communication with atleast one flow path orifice, and wherein the circumferential passagewaycomprises a first dam wall at a first end of the circumferentialpassageway, a second dam wall at a second end of the circumferentialpassageway, the flow path orifices being in fluid communication with thebypass chamber. 26: The flush valve diaphragm of claim 25, wherein theexit chamber comprises two exit passageways located along the secondintegral ring and a diverter shield located between the two exitpassageways. 27: The flush valve diaphragm of claim 18, wherein thediaphragm body is made of a material selected from the group consistingof natural rubber, synthetic rubber, synthetic polymer, andthermoplastic elastomer resin. 28: A flush valve diaphragm assembly foruse in a flush valve, comprising: a) a flush valve diaphragm comprisinga body portion and a peripheral sealing portion, the body portion beingflexible and having a central passageway, the peripheral sealing portioncomprising an integral filter integrally molded with the flush valvediaphragm and made of the same elastomeric material as the flush valvediaphragm, wherein water is filtered via the integral filter beforepassing through the sealing portion of the flush valve diaphragm; and b)a barrel slide, which is partially passed through the central passagewayto which the diaphragm is secured. 29: The flush valve diaphragmassembly of claim 28, wherein the barrel slide is secured to thediaphragm through a locking member. 30: The flush valve diaphragmassembly of claim 29, wherein the locking member is threadably receivedby the barrel slide sandwiching a portion of the diaphragm between asupport lip on the barrel slide and the locking element. 31: The flushvalve diaphragm assembly of claim 30, comprising an integral flow ringlocated between the diaphragm and the support lip of the locking member.32: A flush valve, comprising: a) a valve body defining an inlet openingand an outlet opening; b) a valve seat positioned between the inlet andthe outlet of the flush valve; c) a flush valve diaphragm assemblymovable to a closing position on the valve seat to stop flow between theinlet and the outlet; and d) a diaphragm assembly positioned in thevalve body and separating the inlet and the outlet, with the diaphragmassembly configured to have a pressure difference applied across thediaphragm assembly and said diaphragm assembly comprising: i) a flushvalve diaphragm comprising a body portion and a peripheral sealingportion, the body portion being flexible and having a centralpassageway, the peripheral sealing portion comprising an integral filterintegrally molded with the flush valve diaphragm and made of the sameelastomeric material as the flush valve diaphragm; and ii) a barrelslide, which is partially passed through the central passageway to whichthe diaphragm is secured, whereby water enters through the inletopening, flows through the sealing portion of the flush valve diaphragmby passing through the integral filter.